YREKA – As the city struggles to maintain its existing sporting event facilities, the Yreka City Council’s idea to establish an outdoor sports complex evolved at its May 2 meeting when council members opted to look into the construction of an indoor sports complex in the Golden City.

No action was taken, as council members stated that they would like to hear feedback from their constituents prior to directing city staff to research projected costs regarding the construction of an indoor sports complex.

In March, council member Rob Bicego asked city staff to research the feasibility and estimated cost to construct an outdoor multi-use four-field sports complex for Yreka athletic tournaments to generate tourism and raise Yreka’s visibility as a family-friendly community.

City staff examined the cost to build and maintain sports complexes in other cities as well as revenue generated from these venues. At the May 2 meeting, Yreka Project Assistant Benjamin Matts shared his findings with the council.

Youth sports advocates addressed the council and asked how the city will establish and maintain a multi-million-dollar facility when it cannot afford to maintain its current sports fields.

“My concern with this proposal is that the city will bite off more than it can chew,” said local coach and former city councilman Ed Harris, who is a member of Friends of Hibbard Field – a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for the longevity of Yreka’s Hibbard Field. “As much as I appreciate where the council is coming from and as good as it looks on paper, I don’t think this would be a good idea for the city of Yreka.”

Allison Giannini, Yreka Little League president, commented that often, the city is not able to provide garbage service at Ringe Park following little league games and tournaments. The parents have to pack out their trash.

Giannini commented that Little League sponsors “are tapped out,” and the youth sports program relies on parents and other community volunteers to remain operational. Furthermore, she told the council that Yreka is not a growing community and its youth population is on the decline.

Both Giannini and Harris asked the council to consider putting funds toward improving and maintaining existing city facilities.

Yreka Chamber of Commerce member Kris Taylor said, “I appreciate the forward-thinking council for embracing this idea.” She commented that perhaps including alternative sports in the complex plan might speak to a larger audience and rally more community support.

One meeting attendee said she would rather see funds and city staff time go toward Ringe Pool improvements, and she noted the importance of young children having a place to take swimming lessons.

Bicego stated that based on the feedback council members have received from their constituents thus far, he would like for the city to examine the possibility of an indoor facility.

Page 2 of 2 - Council member Rory McNeal commented that she believes representatives from the Siskiyou Family YMCA should be involved in this dialogue.

Mayor David Simmen stated that the council should hold town hall meetings with YMCA representatives and Friends of Hibbard Field to discuss the possibility of an indoor facility.

Harris commented that Friends of Hibbard Field members are interested in establishing indoor batting cages.

One of the facilities that Matts researched during his fact-finding study was the Steen Sports Park in Klamath Falls, Ore. which has indoor components.

According to the council agenda’s accompanying literature, Steen Sports Park comprises 150 acres and has multiple baseball and soccer fields, a skate park, a large walking/jogging loop, an indoor soccer field and an indoor baseball facility. There are future plans for an aquatic center.

The park was founded by a nonprofit organization, the Klamath County Youth Sports Complex Board, and the project broke ground in 2001.

The board received a no-cost 99-year lease to use Klamath County land to build the facility.

The park was founded with a $1 million grant from the Jeld-Wen Foundation. The grant required a $1 million match to be raised within a year. The sports park was able to raise the match in six months with the help of a $400,000 grant from the Ford Family Foundation.

To date, the sports complex has generated about $12 million in revenue and the park has been built and maintained without taxpayer support.

Citizens who wish to offer their feedback to the council regarding the idea of an indoor sports facility may speak during the public comment period, which takes place at the beginning of each city council meeting. The council meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 701 Fourth St.